Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
CAMPAIGN STYLE
Sometimes called “knock-down” furniture, campaign furniture was designed to be folded, collapsed, taken apart and packed flat to load onto a ship or a camel’s back. Although mobile furniture for military campaigns dates back to the Romans, the British Army in its global conquests in the 18th and 19th centuries defined the style with sturdy and elegant pieces. Even in a tent thousands of miles from London, a four-poster bed, dining table and seating could simulate the comforts of home.
Antique and vintage campaign-style furniture was also initially designed as propaganda. The mahogany and teak structures were part of a purposeful demonstration of power in these campaigns, with the colonizing military officers imposing their culture and view of what they considered “civilized” on a given land and its peoples. Designers and manufacturers including Thomas Butler, Ross & Co. of Dublin, and Morgan & Sanders contributed to the rapid production of this furniture as the British Empire expanded through Africa, Asia and Australia.
Campaign furniture was utilitarian as well as refined, fitted with recessed brass handles and brass angles on stackable chests and other case pieces to protect vulnerable corners. The Wellington chest was one of the most famous pieces to come out of this style, named for the Duke of Wellington, who slept in his campaign bed long after his battles were over.
The flexibility of campaign-style furniture would influence 20th-century Scandinavian modernists such as Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch and Arne Norell. For his 1930s Safari chair, Klint drew on the simple Roorkhee chair, named for a town in northern India. The lightweight and adaptable campaign-style seat was created in the late 19th century and had no fixed joinery. The Roorkhee’s influence can also be seen in the Wassily chair, a pared-down work of tubular metal and durable canvas conceived by legendary Bauhaus instructor Marcel Breuer.
Now, 21st-century designers like Jomo Tariku and Dokter and Misses are creating pieces that recognize the contributions of African artisans to campaign furniture in order to reframe this style without overlooking its difficult past.
Find a collection of authentic antique and vintage campaign bedroom furniture, chairs, decorative objects and other pieces on 1stDibs.
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Style: Campaign
Vintage Military Campaign Used Ammunition Box from Ww2 Stunning Period Patina
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this period Military Campaign used, WW2 Ammo box with all the original patina
I have two of these for sale, the second piece is listed under my ...
Category
20th Century European Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Metal
Vintage Gulf War Military Campaign Used Ammunition Bomb Box Period Patiia
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this period Military Campaign used, Gulf War Bomb Ammo box with all the original patina.
I have two of these for sale, the second piece is liste...
Category
20th Century European Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Metal
African Campaign Military Metal Chest Luggage J Willis Fleming Esq Deputy Lieut
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice and collectable antique field used Jones Brothers & Co of Wolverhampton LTD Steel boots case with an original engraved plaque for J ...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel
English Mid-19th Century Military Munitions Box with Royal Mottos, Coat of Arms
Located in Wells, ME
English military munitions box of thick full cowhide leather over cork with painted royal coat of arms and mottos on the top: " Honi Soi (qui) Mal y Pense" and "Dieu et Mon Droit" su...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Brass
WW2 1939-1945 8th Battalion the Durham Hd Hq Wing Military Campaign Chest Trunk
Located in GB
We are delighted to this stunning small Military Campaign Chest with the original label that states 8th Battalion The Durham HD GR wing
The label has the privates name on which is...
Category
1930s English Vintage Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Wood
Stunning Late 19th Century Campaign or Travelers Desk Attr. to Thomas Potter
By Thomas Potter
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique quarter-sawn, two piece oak campaign desk.
This may very well be the most beautiful and interesting campaign desk you will ever be able to acquire. The architectural design, the quality of the materials AND of the make, the combination of the striking colors and its overall look and feel is, in one word, awesome. We cannot think of a single company in existence in the world today who would put such an effort into creating one single and unique piece of furniture. We could have posted 30 images (which is not possible) and you still would not have seen all the fine details and 'gadgets' that make this desk the interesting and marvelous piece that it is.
Especially when displayed in the way it is in image one, it will make everyone want to stop and look at this desk. It simply is difficult not to want to. Used by a high ranked officer, this top of the line desk would have cost a small fortune and it would have been taken from one campaign posting to the next. The chest on top can be fully closed and it has a perfect working lock and key (all original). The perfect brass handles on either side makes the chest easier to carry. Never easy though, because it has got some significant weight to it. Apart from minor bending of the desktop (best seen when closed. . .see image7), an incomplete leather inside in the lid (see image 15) and a cracked, but glued white tile (for which we do not know the purpose. . .image 3), this piece is of museum quality.
The solid, tiger oak bottom half too is as stabile as the day it was made and it is in amazing condition. It comes with a mint drawer (both inside and out) and it too has a perfect working lock with the original key. The extra tier with the gallery of hand turned pillars makes this fine design open and spacious and it too is of wonderful quality and condition.
Some of the finest details are on the inside of the stationary box-like chest. It is the quality in the design, the workmanship, the expensive materials, the attention to detail, the completeness, the execution and, finally, the timeless beauty, that makes us believe that this desk could only have been made by Thomas Potter...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century British Officer's Campaign Bed with Original Storage Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century British Army officer's painted pine campaign chest containing original steel & brass campaign bed. Stand is modern as is bed canva...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel
Rare African Campaign Military Metal Chest Luggage the Owomeji Jones Brothers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice and collectable antique field used Jones Brothers & Co of Wolverhampton LTD Steel Unform case “The Owom...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel
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The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful.
The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
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Star Wars Film-Used Props from Original 1977 Film
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Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk
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Antique Jewelry Box Art Deco Period
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A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...
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Large British Military Officer's Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Camphor
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Antique Cylinder Sundial Late 19th Century
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19th Century, Silver Plated Box with Royal Crest
Located in Newport Beach, CA
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Vintage Metal Steamer Trunk with Luggage Label, Small
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Previously Available Items
19th Century Campaign Candle Box or Chest on Stand by J. Bramah
By Joseph Bramah
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous and beautifully proportioned early 19th century Campaign candle box or chest on stand.
Early 19th century, made in Britain, circa 1810-1815.
Perfect as a ...
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Old Diving Mask Us Diving Helmet Mark V
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant scuba mask with its wooden base
We can find the following inscriptions.
US Navy Diving Helmet
V Mark
Morse diving equipment Boston MA
1941
...
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Mid-20th Century American Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
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Bronze
Egyptian Regiment des Dromadaires-Style Brass and Iron Camel Saddle, circa 1800
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1800 Egyptian brass, iron, and wood camel saddle similar to those used at the time by Napoleon’s Regiment des Dromadaires.
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Early 1800s Egyptian Antique Campaign Arms, Armor and Weapons
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H 13.5 in W 52 in D 18 in
Asprey Military Campaign Folding Cutlery Set Hallmarked Silver Plated circa 1890
Located in GB
We are delighted to this very nice fully hallmarked circa 1890 Military campaign folding cutlery set by Asprey London
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Campaign arms, armor and weapons for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Campaign arms, armor and weapons for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage arms, armor and weapons created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign arms, armor and weapons made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original arms, armor and weapons, popular names associated with this style include and Jones Brothers & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for arms, armor and weapons differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $486 and tops out at $11,887 while the average work can sell for $712.
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